smonster, it certainly sounds like the flu. If he won't get tested, then I say err on the side of caution and leave chicken soup outside his apt door.

leave chicken soup outside his apt door

My friend's boyfriend left groceries and her filled anti-viral prescription outside her front door, then waved from the other side of the road. Sweet guy!

For what it's worth, The Girl didn't get 'flu from me. But then, I have a rubbish immune system, and she doesn't. A lot of people seem to catch it quite easily. I'd go with being avoid-y if that's possible.

It might just be a cold, but I'd recommend a doctor's appointment to get tested for swine flu, just in case.

But is there any use in getting diagnosed with swine flu? Isn't the treatment just to stay home and rest?

Hmm, CDC says NC is among the 27 states with unusual and widespread influenza activity.

CDC also says basically to stay home, treat symptoms, and go to a doctor if you have certain emergency symptoms, which he doesn't. He's also not in a high-risk group.

I'm thinking I'll at least take him food and a thermometer, and maybe some Gatorade (he tends to drink only caffeinated drinks). If I stay I'll sleep on the loveseat, which he doesn't sit on.

CDC also says basically to stay home, treat symptoms, and go to a doctor if you have certain emergency symptoms, which he doesn't. He's also not in a high-risk group.

In that case, do what the CDC says. I thought they were advising people to get blood tests so they could track it, but maybe that's just hospitalization cases?

If you are going to hang, you might take some Purell and clean your hands frequently, just to be extra safe.

Thanks for the b-day gift ideas! Great suggestions as usual.

I don't think I'd risk the flu, but I'm totally freaked out because I am in a high-risk group (pregnant). People at work have already started coughing and sneezing and such and it just makes me want to run home and not leave until this baby comes.

ETA: ~ma to Kristin and Drew!

My supervisor's cell phone has the same ring tone as the phones in the Cardiac Care Unit at the hospital. I twitch whenever it rings, but I can't think of a good way to say, "Please change your cell phone ring tone because it gives me flashbacks." I try not to seem too high strung.

(Hubby was playing with new ring tones on our phone, and that particular one came up. I firmly said, "Not that one," he asked why, I explained, and he merely nodded and moved on. He understands these things.)

A couple of people in my office have had swine flu. I think it's pretty well established in the NC Triangle, sadly. I hope KBD gets well quickly. A care package sounds like a nice idea.

But is there any use in getting diagnosed with swine flu?

Tammflu -- or how ever it is spelled. I have it because they tested me , but I didn't have it.

and my reaction is from my screwy immune system. I don't get much, because i am exposed to lots of squirmy kid germs. plus everyone else in the world feels it is ok to run into the library when sick . But if I get sick, I am down for the count. So even a mild cold get treated like a deadly disease.

and you don't need a blood test - just a nose swab